The French Grand Prix is next up on the 2019 Formula 1 schedule. The eighth race of the season takes place on Sunday at Circuit Paul Ricard near Marseille, France for a second consecutive year after decade when the track was gone from the F1 calendar. France was without a Grand Prix from 2009-17 and for many years before that it was held at Magny-Cours.

The series returns to action after a controversial-filled Canadian Grand Prix that saw Lewis Hamilton score his fifth win of the year and the Mercedes AMG Motorsport team extend its perfect seven-for-seven record in 2019.

Hamilton was awarded the victory after Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel crossed the finish line first as the apparent victor. However, a 5-second penalty imposed by the stewards on Vettel for rejoining the track in an unsafe manner on Lap 48 demoted Vettel to second place, handing the win to Hamilton.

While Hamilton won in France a year ago on the 15-turn circuit connected by two long and high-speed straightaways, he’s not the best F1 betting bet Sunday. That belongs to Max Verstappen, who comes into the weekend as a great value.

Verstappen claimed second place at last year's French Grand Prix and has two podium finishes on the board already this season. The Team Red Bull driver is a solid choice for another podium finish on Sunday as one of the first three drivers. Bet Verstappen to win at +1600 or +175 to finish 1st through 3rd at 888Sport.com.

Additional French Grand Prix Bets

Some props to consider for the circuit at Paul Ricard:

Fastest Lap/Driver

Hamilton has been blistering fast all year and France will be no exception. Bet +400 on Hamilton to record the fastest lap inside Sunday’s race at 888Sport.

Fastest Lap/Car

There’s no reason to deviate from the norm this week. Dry conditions are predicted for France so raw speed will be on display. Horsepower is king at Marseille because the track’s layout demands high throttle time. Tire grip will also be elevated, adding to the speed potential. Hamilton and Mercedes are the cream of the crop. Bet Mercedes as the manufacturer/car to record the fastest lap at +150 at 888Sport.

Safety Car Used

Because the track is so wide and spread out plus one of the longest on the circuit, potential for contact between cars is minimal. Thus the possibility of accidents and/or caution flags is also very low meaning the odds of the actual safety car making it on track during the race is also negligible. Bet +130 that the safety car will not be used in the French Grand Prix at 888Sport.